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Zarqawi, Ansar al-Sunnah, Islamic Army, and Islamic Front dominate insurgency
The Iraqi insurgency has become dominated by four large, well-organised groups with sophisticated communications and surprisingly centralised leadership, according to an analysis of insurgent publications and propaganda to be issued today.The study of insurgent websites, videos, tapes and leaflets conducted by the International Crisis Group, a non-profit organisation that monitors global conflicts, also found that although Al-Qaeda in Iraq, the organisation led by Abu Musab al- Zarqawi, receives the most publicity, it is just one of the groups that have come to dominate the resistance. [Al-Qaeda in Iraq] appears to be surprisingly well structured, the study found, relying on an analysis of the groups public communiqués. It should neither be blown up into a Leviathan nor ignored as a mirage, but rather considered as one of a handful of particularly powerful groups. The study added that the insurgent groups now appeared to be showing increased confidence that they have gained the upper hand in the attitudes of the Iraqi population. The insurgency is acting as if it has already proved its case and demonstrated both the iniquity of the US- sponsored political process and the threat represented by the Iraqi government, the study found. The four groups differ slightly in their adherence to extreme Islamic principles, with some particularly the Islamic Army in Iraq emphasising more nationalist tones. Ansar al-Sunna, an insurgent group that has claimed responsibility for a wide range of bombings and beheadings, may be more violent and extremist than even Mr Zarqawis group, the study found. The fourth group, Islamic Front of the Iraqi Resistance, remains largely a public relations organ for a loose grouping of armed militia. The British government has arrested two more people over the apparent beating of protesters in southern Iraq captured on video. Defence officials said the Royal Military Police were still trying to identify those in the footage. Posted by: Dan Darling 2006-02-15 |
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